Crime & Safety
Cell Phone Could Reveal New Evidence in Murder Case: Court Watch
Also, a homeless man accused in a 2011 sex assault is denied a new attorney, a jail nurse is accused of blabbing about an inmate's HIV and more court cases from the south suburbs.
A cell phone that has been in the custody of police for more than two years could yield new evidence in the first-degree murder case of Allan Kustok, who is accused of shooting his wife to death in 2010.
Prosecutors said technology that wasn't available in 2010 will allow investigators to take a look at information on Kustok's cell phone, including old emails, records of Internet usage and data saved to the SIM card.
Kustok is scheduled to be back in court for his next status hearing on Dec. 19.
Find out what's happening in Orland Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Patch rounds up the Southland's major criminal and civil cases being heard in Cook County and Will County courts this week.
CHICAGO HEIGHTS — Hearings Continue for Man Accused in Girlfriend's Fatal Shooting
Find out what's happening in Orland Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Attorneys are still exchanging evidence in the case against George Kleopa, 33, whom authorities say shot and killed 30-year-old Michele Peters, his live-in girlfriend and the mother of his two small children in March. He is set to be back in court on Jan. 7.
FRANKFORT — Frankfort Lawyer's Murder Solicitation Case Waiting on Tales of Tapes
The attorneys representing a Frankfort lawyer charged with trying to hire a hitman to take care of his estranged wife have yet to receive the audio recordings of his allegedly brokering the death deal.
The recordings are to be made available before 50-year-old Robert Gold-Smith next appears in court on Jan. 15.
ORLAND PARK — Drifter Accused in Sex Assault Denied New Attorney
A homeless man charged in the 2011 sexual assault of an 83-year-old woman asked for a new public defender just as it looked as though a trial date may be getting close.
However, 36-year-old Dennis Dodson's request was denied by a Cook County judge. He is scheduled to be back in court on Dec. 10.
Attorneys Done Exchanging Evidence in BB Gun Carjacking Case
Attorneys for both sides have finished exchanging evidence in a felony case against two people accused of carjacking an Orland Park restaurant employee with a BB gun. The next court date for Jonathan Sarolas, 24, and April Schmidt, 23, has been set for Jan. 10.
WILL COUNTY —
A nurse working at the county jail told an inmate's brother he has HIV, causing him "great humiliation and mental anguish," according to a lawsuit filed in Will County court last week.
The HIV-infected inmate's name was withheld in the lawsuit. The man's attorney, William R. Cassian, filed a petition to "proceed under (a) fictitious name" on the grounds that the suit "involves very private information that is so sensitive" it is protected by the state's HIV Disclosure Act.
ON THE DOCKET NEXT WEEK
MONDAY
- Five teens charged in shooting death in Chicago Heights park
- Former Orland firefighter facing child porn charges
TUESDAY
- Teens charged in robbery, beating death of Palos couple
- Orland 'Ghost Rider' set for trial
THURSDAY
- Ex-cop accused in wife's murder
- Oak Lawn doctor accused of fondling patients
- Orland man
FRIDAY
- Man charged with robbery in standoff at Oak Lawn Radio Shack
